On February 7, 1964, the Beatles landed in the United States, starting the "Beatle mania” among the American youth. Two days later, 73 million viewers tuned in to watch the Beatles performing live on The Ed Sullivan Show,marking the official start of the British Invasion. By April 4, they held the top 5 songs on the Billboard Top 100, the only group to accomplish this feat.

Crowds gathered to witness Beatles' first live performance in the United States.

Beatles performing live on The Ed Sullivan Show with 40% of US television owners tuning in to watch.

Beatles refused the Queen's offer to play at a Britsh Olympic Appeal Fund show.

The Beatles continued to gain popularity in 1965 with their innovative album Rubber Soul; however, in July 1966 Lennon caused a backlash when he claimed they were more popular than Christianity. Adding to their edge, Lennon and Harrision became regular users of LSD and publically announced it had, "opened my eyes."

"We don't do benefits." - The Beatles (1964)

"Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. I needn't argue with that; I'm right and will be proved right. We're more popular than Jesus now; I don't know which will go first - rock and roll or Christianity." - John Lennon (1966 interview)

In June 1966, a Beatles’ albums pictured them in butcher’s uniforms with mutilated dolls symbolizing how Capitol Records butchered their albums.

The Beatles established Liverpool, England as the pop music capital of the world

Their butcher album created unfavorable, American touring conditions, which led to the last concert of the Beatles in Candlestick Park on August 29, 1966. Three years later, Lennon announced his departure from the Beatles due to the new strains within the group on the decision of a new financial manager. On May 9, 1970, the Beatles released their last album, Let It Be. Finally, tensions between the rest of the group and Yoko Ono caused the Beatles to finally separate.

“If being an egomaniac means I believe in what I do and in my art or music, then in that respect you can call me that... I believe in what I do, and I'll say it.” - John Lennon (1966)